| All Reviews > mbaMission Reviews |
Product mbaMission Hourly Services
Consultant Daniel Richards
Overall, I enjoyed working with Daniel for the past month. The process wasn't stressful at all. I retained Daniel for his hourly services and asked him to provide feedback on my MBA essays. Daniel was extremely insightful and helpful during the brainstorming process, asking poignant questions to help me delve deeper into my story and highlight my strengths. His feedback was always constructive, concise, and clear. I appreciated how he always was extremely responsive to emails and would have 24-48 turnaround on essay feedback.
Daniel met my high expectations and I would recommend him to anyone applying for business schools!
REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]
Product mbaMission Mock Interview Sessions
Consultant Katharine Lewis
When I received an invitation to interview at my dream school (HBS), I was in shock. On the one hand, I was proud for surviving the toughest filter in the application process. On the other hand, I felt very anxious figuring out how to nail this interview (especially since I had already failed the interview at other three top-tier business schools).
Today, I am happy to report that I was admitted into Harvard Business School. I owe this accomplishment in great part to Katy Lewis, who became my mentor throughout the interview process, and prepared me to crush it. More specifically, Katy helped me in three ways:
1. We did 2 mock interviews before my real interview at HBS. As a Latin American candidate, who speaks English as a second language, these mock interviews helped me to relax and get comfortable telling my story in English.
2. Katy knows very well how HBS admission officers conduct their interviews, and what kind of questions they like to ask. Therefore, practicing with her helped to reflect on the answer to several questions that were actually asked in the real interview.
3. Finally, Katy provided me with very detailed feedback at the end of each mock interview, pinpointing the answers in which I had an opportunity for improvement. I really appreciate how honest and direct she was. In some cases, she helped me to strengthen my wording in order to communicate my story in a more crisp and clear manner. In other cases, we restructured my entire answer because the message I was conveying was not helping me to build up my case.
Overall, I am thankful for finding Katy and being able to work with her. Before our sessions, I was tired of reading over and over again about the importance of “being myself” and “enjoying” the interview process without actually understanding what these clichés meant. I regret not having Katy’s guidance throughout my first three interviews with other schools. I am glad that I met her just in time to get into my dream school.
I highly recommend her!
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Melissa Blakeslee
I started the admissions process very late (September 2019 and I was looking to submit my applications for R2). My career had hit a complete dead end and I had no idea what my next steps were. I decided to begin the application process and study for the GMAT. At the beginning, I had no idea what I was doing. Melissa helped calm me down and laid out a very detailed road map that described all of the steps I should take, when I should take them, etc. The brainstorm exercise was maybe the best thing that I have ever completed. Going into that activity, I thought that there was nothing special that I had done since I graduated high school. The questions and the instructions on the brainstorming activity made me remember things that I had forgotten that I did and I used some of those memories for my essays. She is a former admissions counselor so she knows exactly what schools are looking for in a candidate. She also helped me craft my essays perfectly. Without her, I am positive that I would have never been admitted to a single school and I would still be stuck at my dead end job hating every single second of it. She is a brilliant, successful woman who truly cared about how I was doing and how I was handling GMAT studying and the application process. I could not recommend her more highly.
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Susan Kaplan
I started my MBA journey in 2018, and despite having a decent GMAT score, I got dinged by many top B-schools. Re-applying to these schools was a significant challenge before me. After a lot of deliberation and research, I zeroed in on ‘MBA mission’ to help me with my applications.
I spoke with Susan in July 2019 and felt an instant connect with her with the way she listened to my story, gave her inputs on the possible weaknesses in my application and the steps I could possibly take to improve them. She explained to me about the rigour and focus it would take to put together a strong application and instilled so much confidence in me in our first interaction that I decided to work with her and bought a two-school start-to-finish package.
The brainstorming document that she shared initially really pushed me to think through my story: strengths, weaknesses, achievements, failures. A full 1.5 hour session that followed really helped me create a concrete foundation for all my applications. She constantly encouraged me to do thorough research about the programs and school resources, learn about my fit with the school, and, most importantly, think through my story. Susan responded to my every query and would regularly schedule calls to make sure I am never stuck and always on the right track. She never shied away from giving an honest opinion and comments on my essays and provided constructive feedback to direct me towards the best version of my applications. On many occasions, I did feel all burned out and frustrated working on multiple iterations and drafts, but Susan really helped me piece together an effective and sound application.
She also helped me get the video component of the application right that one of my schools required. She made sure that I practiced it right to master this segment. I was elated when I got the interview calls from both the schools. Susan arranged mock interview sessions (and at a very short notice for Kellogg) with her that really helped me prepare for the most dreadful part (for me, at least) of the application process.
I got admitted to both the top schools (Cornell and Kellogg) that I applied to with her help. I would strongly recommend Susan to anyone and everyone who is headstrong about getting into a top B-school. I am really excited to be going to Kellogg this year and can’t thank her enough for making it possible for me.
REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]
Product mbaMission Hourly Services
Consultant Helen Summers
I was so happy with Helen as my consultant. I was reapplying to a couple schools this year and decided to use Helen to help craft my story. I found her when I was struggling with my story the most, unsure of how to cohesively weave my background, work experience, and goals into one story. Helen was incredibly resourceful in digging deep to my story and understand what drives and has shaped me and how I can make an impact in the future. She gave me confidence in my story while also being honest about what needed to be cut - somethings were better off being discarded than salvaged and I really appreciated her honesty in the process. In the end I was accepted to Wharton, which my family and I are thrilled about. Thank you so much, Helen!
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Jessica Shklar
Jessica was my #1 resource and advocate during the application process. Coming from a non-traditional background was intimidating, as I had no other guidance or friends who had previously applied for MBA programs. Jessica is a wealth of knowledge; from her insights into AdCom to the depth of her essay edits, she guided me every step of the way. Jessica put structure around what can feel like a very daunting process and helped me tell my story in a compelling way. I am thrilled to have gotten into my dream school! I truly could not have gone through this process without her!
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Krista Nannery
Pursuing an MBA has been a life-long dream of mine, so I wanted to give it my 110% and work directly with an admissions consultant who could guide me through the process. I had multiple free 30-minute consultations across 6 different companies, but I felt an immediate connection with Krista from our first call. She was extremely kind, lively, and encouraging from the get-go, and I knew she would take the time to understand me on a deeper level.
Even before I paid for the school packages, she was quick to respond to emails and answer any high-level questions about the process/GMAT. To provide context, I had a below-avg GPA and GMAT score, but only wanted to apply to top 5 programs in round 2. While she was realistic in setting expectations with me, Krista was always SUPER encouraging and optimistic -- And she always made it a point to ensure I was putting the best possible application forward. In a process that could be quite stressful, you want to ensure that your consultant is always there for support...and I always felt this support and trust from Krista.
The first part of the process was filling out a brainstorming document about my life, work, projects, and aspirations. While it took me 10-15 hours (and ended up being 35 pages long...more than I knew I could write!), it served as an important element in the application process. Krista took the time to read through the whole document and help me build a well-rounded story. Rather than telling me what to write, Krista ensured that I was the author of my own essays, keeping the applications very authentic...And whenever I felt a roadblock, she would always refer back to the brainstorming doc and suggest stories that would fit well with the essays' themes/questions.
Krista was also great about keeping me on track in the Round 2 process -- She does an amazing job of sending friendly reminder emails and holding me accountable. When I felt stuck on one school's application, she reached out and asked that I send her whatever essays I've written. We then scheduled another brainstorming call to walk through some ideas and best ways to approach the essay topics, which made it much easier.
She set the right cadence for scheduling meetings, returning application drafts, and answering emails. And per the mbaMission policy, she stayed on top of the 2-day turnaround (most times, she was even faster). When I got to the interview stage, she was right there by my side to help me prep with mock interviews. Most questions she asked me during our mock interviews were eventually asked in my actual interviews...I would have been very underprepared if it wasn't for Krista, once again, holding me accountable!
Now, I'm fortunate enough to be fulfilling a childhood dream -- pursuing an MBA at a top program...And I'm thankful to Krista for supporting me along the way. Krista is extremely trustworthy and took a huge interest in learning about my family, life, personal goals and desires. She is truly an amazing friend, and I look forward to staying in touch with her in the future.
I highly recommend Krista as a consultant...she has really been a blessing for me!
REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Jessica Shklar
To start, Jessica takes the success of her students as truly truly her own. I was shocked by the amount of dedication and energy she brought to presenting my application in the best light, and I can confidently say she does the same for all her students.
Besides having a profound insight into what admission committees are looking for in an applicant, she made it a point to believe in me and my story, allowing me to be proud of my application, and enabling me to put my best foot forward through the entirety of the process.
I applied to H/S/W. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I’d get into all three. Words cannot express how grateful I am for Jessica’s help – an “admission’s consultant” sure, but also a special friend and coach! If you get the opportunity to work with Jessica, you will find yourself lucky for having done so and thankful you did.
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Jessica Shklar
Jessica was friendly to work with and returned drafts in a timely manner. Would recommend if you are looking for a more structured consultant. Jessica and the mbaMission consultants often work with many clients at any given time and have a process of their own to cycle through drafts and other deliverables. As a result, there is little to no flexibility on deadlines and process standards, but you will be guaranteed to receive feedback by a certain time.
I did appreciate that Jessica would always provide helpful ideas while respecting my decisions to take a different route several times. She was efficient in moving forward rather than debating when time was precious and we had different opinions. As with any process of this nature, expect to take ownership of your work and be realistic even if you are lucky enough to have additional leverage from a consultant.
Product mbaMission Hourly Services
Consultant Jessica Shklar
Jessica provided invaluable advice throughout the re-application process. She helped me decide which schools to focus on. Jessica was most helpful in reviewing my essays. She was quick to respond and met her deadlines. I am so glad that I got to benefit from working her. I'll be attending at top business program this fall! I would recommend that anybody work with Jessica. She has a special skill for understanding the heart of an applicant's story. As a nontraditional applicant, I felt uniquely supported by Jessica's abilities. She came from the nonprofit education world, as well. Jessica knows how to frame nontraditional stories in a way that speaks to top programs. Thank you Jessica!